Katie Jackson

Imagine planning your dream wedding when all of a sudden, mere months before your big day, the venue closes its doors. This is the story of how Cottonwood Glen at Kiowa Creek came to be. The bride and her family realized that the best way to create the wedding of her dreams was to build the venue of her dreams. As a labor of love, family and friends pulled together what seemed impossible and built a venue that is quickly becoming Colorado’s premier wedding locale. Truly, the venue that love built!

The creation of Cottonwood Glen at Kiowa Creek included everything from demolition to general construction and landscaping. To clear the way for the new Grand Patio, the groom and his soon-to-be father-in-law removed 25 tons of flagstone from the space. The construction of the patio, which included an oversized pergola, a stone checkerboard dance floor, and grand stone fireplace, was completed in just three short months! All existing landscaping and lighting was removed and replaced, keeping evening events in mind. The flagstone removed from the patio was repurposed at the new ceremony site (The Glen) where it was used to create a curved aisle and altar area. The Glen had to be cleared of brush and downed timber, leveled, and reseeded to grow a lush meadow.

Our first wedding took place in July of 2015. Their elegant naturalist wedding was inspired by the bride’s love of a romantic forest setting. The ceremony site, where the venue gets its name, is tucked away in a lush, cottonwood lined meadow. The clearing is surrounded by native grasses and features a winding flagstone aisle leading the way to the altar. Tall, swaying cottonwood trees envelop the ceremony site to create an intimate outdoor chapel. An Amish craftsman constructed the custom twelve-foot tall cathedral window frames used as an altar backdrop and give the space the feel of a sanctuary.

After the ceremony, guests transitioned from The Glen to the Grand Patio to enjoy beverages and hours d’oeuvres. Cocktail hour concluded with the newlyweds christening the dance floor with their first dance. Guests were then invited onto the adjoining tented lawn for dinner. The combination of wooden tables and chairs, romantic florals, ferns, fruits, and soft candlelight gave this outdoor room an ambiance that was both elegant and naturalist.

The bride and groom cut their cake and accompanied their guests out on to the checkerboard dance floor. They danced the night away under old-fashioned market lights and heavenly stars above. As the evening drew to a close, family and friends lined the sweeping stone staircase and created an archway with giant sparklers to bid the happy couple adieu.

Our family came together to create this beautiful venue. We enjoy sharing it with every new family that comes our way. We’re so blessed to be a part of each couple’s special day. The magnitude of their trust in us is never lost.